§ Mr. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the application by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. for planning permission for three further plants at Windscale, itemising the function of its facility and its cost.
§ Mr. Norman LamontBritish Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has submitted an outline planning application to Copeland borough council for an active waste treatment complex. This complex comprises plants for
- (1) The storage, treatment, decontamination and preparation for disposal of contaminated waste.
- (2) The treatment of process residues.
- (3) A development facility.
The waste material to be handled in the first of these plants includes gloves used in glove boxes, plastic sheet, cleaning swabs, containers, filters, tools and safety clothing and equipment.
The process residues to be treated in the second plant arise from plutonium process operations, fuel fabrication, and research and development at Windscale and Calder Works. These residues cannot be recycled into the main process stream because of the impurities involved. The existing plant which handles these residues has operated since 1964 and now requires replacement.
The development facility is designed to support and advance research and development on reprocessing. It would replace existing facilities which are some 30 years old.
The cost of the complex will be of the order of £100 million.